Best Propane Grill for Outdoor BBQ – Top Reviews & Buying Guide

Spice up your next family get-together or your outdoor party with friends! Grill some drooling treats in your backyard. You may be busy being very meticulous about selecting the foods you are going to serve.

But, the success and lusciousness of your grilled meal really boils down to the quality of your grill. This is why many people have been on the hunt for the best propane grill for making a delicious barbecue treat!

A propane grill is a type of gas grill that uses a liquid propane (LP) gas. This grill uses a portable metal tank of LP. In the United States, 80% of all the grills are fueled by LP.

It is easy to understand why it is preferred by many grillers. It is portable, easy to use, usually refillable, and is available in most major stores.

Why Choose a Propane Grill?

Some people are still debating whether to purchase and use a charcoal grill, an electric grill, a natural gas grill, or a propane grill. There are several motives why majority of grillers in the United States prefer a propane grill.

Below, we have listed down for you the reasons why you should also choose a propane grill:

1. Easy to Start and Heat Up

Propane grills are generally easy to start up. It can heat up in just around 10 to 15 minutes.

This is especially great for busy people who may not have much time to prepare for meals. Propane grills are also excellent in keeping temperatures steady.

2. Easy Clean Up

Propane grills are hassle-free when it comes to cleaning. Most propane grills use lava rocks, ceramics, or metal plates to radiate heat. It usually does not have open flames, and has little or no ash.

Thus, it is fairly easier to clean up after using. However, it may have some grease build-ups after a few months, but scraping and washing only has to be done every so often.

3. Portable

Propane is naturally a gas at atmospheric pressure. However, when compressed, it condenses into a liquid.

This makes it easier for propane to be stored in a pressurized tank, compared to natural gas that cannot easily be compressed.

Natural gas grills are usually connected to a pipeline, whereas propane grills are attached to tanks that are portable and transportable.

4. Contains More Energy

The cooking ability of grills are measured in British Thermal Units (BTU). It is the amount of heat needed to increase the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 °F. In simpler terms, it is the total heat output of the grill.

The higher the BTU, the greater the ability of the grill’s heat output. One cubic foot of natural gas has about 1,000 BTU, while a cubic foot of propane typically has 2,500 BTU.

5. Less Carbon Emissions

Carbon emissions are a harmful threat to our environment and to our health.

6. Less Carcinogens on Your Food

Carcinogen is a substance that can cause cancer. Grilling using charcoal grills may increase the amount of carcinogens that gets into your food.

When fat from the meat you are grilling drips into the charcoal, it creates more smoke and may end up coating your grilled food with carcinogens.

Propane grills do not promise to totally eliminate carcinogens from getting into your food. However, propane grills reduce your exposure to carcinogen.​

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Tips For Grilling Using A Propane Grill

We care for your health and your healthy, the same way that we would like you to maximize your grilling experience! Here are some grilling and safety tips for your next outdoor grilling party:

1

Heat The Grill First

A hot grill will keep the meat from sticking to the grill. It also locks in and the flavor and the juices.

2

Do Not Flip The Meat Many Times

As much as possible, flip only once. Flipping the meat too frequently will make it dry and less flavorful.

3

Use A Spatula Or Tongs To Turn Your Meat

Piercing the meat using a fork or a knife to flip it allows the natural savory juices to escape.

4

Let It Rest First On A Clean Plate

After grilling the meat, let it rest first on a clean plate for several minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat. You may loosely cover the plate with a foil to keep the meat hot.

5

Securely Cover The Disconnected Hose-end Fittings

This will keep your grill clean when it is not used for a period of time.

6

Always Store And Transport The Propane Tanks On An Upright Or Vertical Position

Propane Grill Buying Guide

1. Materials

Propane grills can be made of a variety of materials, such as cast iron, vitreous enamel bonded to steel, aluminum, and high-quality stainless steel.

Cast iron usually rust easily, even when painted. This coating can chip and peel off easily.

Steel coated or sprayed with vitreous enamel, a glass-like powder, is durable even with high temperatures. It does not easily fade. But, it may crack if bent or dropped. Rust may form in these cracks.

Aluminum and stainless steel do not corrode and form rust. But, they discolor after time and several uses.

2. Size

Propane grills come in different designs and sizes. Keep in mind the dimensions and the size of the propane grill, especially when you have a limited outdoor space or if you are planning to bring it along with you during your trips.

3. Safety

Check the stability of the grill before purchasing. Make sure that it is steady, to prevent tipping accidents. Check the handles also. Try to hold them and make sure that your fingers should not be too close to possible hot surfaces.

4. Temperature Range

The temperature range usually indicates the versatility of the grill. The wider its range, the more variety of foods it can cook.

The Weber 1200 has a cast aluminum lid and body, and a stainless steel burner. These make this propane grill lightweight and not prone to rusting and corrosion. It also features a porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates.

It has a large grip handle for better and safer handling. The fold-out side tables are rigid and large enough to put a fairly large amount of objects.

The Weber 1200 features an easy-start electronic ignition for easy start-up. It also has an infinite control burner valve, that allows you to adjust the temperature. This is great for cooking a variety of food, from low to high temperatures.

This propane grill also features a built-in thermometer. This allows you to be in control of your grilling, being able to monitor the temperatures of the grill.

Clean-up is also generally fast and easy, because of the Weber Q1200’s grease management. There are grease tray and catch pan at the bottom.

They are both easy to clean. The catch pan can be easily removed when full, for disposal and be replaced with new one.

If you liked the Weber Q1200, you will also probably like the Weber Q2200. Its body and lid are also made of cast aluminum that makes it less likely to rust.

Its cooking grates are also porcelain-enameled cast iron that is durable, withstanding high temperatures. Its side handles are also designed such that it is comfortable and secure for gripping.

It also features the same rigid, large-sized fold-out side tables.The Weber 2200 also has an easy-start electronic ignition, an infinite control burner valve, and a built-in lid thermometer.

These features allow you to better control and monitor temperatures. What sets Q2200 apart is its design and size that can be great as a stationary grill, or as a compact and lightweight portable grill for travelling or tailgating.

It has a greater cooking area of 280 in2. It also has a higher heat output of 12,000 BTU per hour to heat 280 in2.

The Weber Q1100 is just like the Weber Q1000. It is also made of durable and lightweight cast aluminum, which makes it convenient to bring when travelling.

It has the same large grip handles and control knobs, push-button ignition and an infinite control burner valve. This allows you to cook different kinds of food, whether cooking it requires low or high temperatures.

Clean-up is generally easy, because of its grease management. There is a removable catch pan at the bottom. When full, you can easily remove it for disposal and be replaced with a clean one.

This propane gas does not have a built-in thermometer and fold-out tables. However, because it is small and portable, it is an ideal companion for tailgating.

The Coleman RoadTrip LXE Propane Grill is ideal for grillers who love to travel around. It comes with a collapsible stand and wheels, which makes it easier to store and transport. It is also easy and quick to set up.

This propane grill features a sliding side table, where can put ingredients and some cooking tools. This makes cooking materials more accessible and handy, for a more convenient grilling experience.

Its grilling surface is made of cast-iron, which means that is is not very prone to rusting. It has a wide total cooking surface of 285 in2, with two burners.

It also features a PerfectFlow technology, that makes sure that heat is consistent and steady, even in cold conditions. It is easy to start-up, with just a push of the InstaStart Ignition button.

It is also not difficult to clean, because it has a removable grease tray.

The Coleman RoadTrip LXE Propane Grill also features an interchangeable cooktop for a wider variety of meal options. Stove grates and griddles are sold separately.

The Weber Spirit E310 is one of Weber’s most advanced propane grills. It has two stainless steel burners and a porcelain enameled cast iron cooking grate.

These materials make the Weber Spirit E310 less prone to fading and rusting, and great heat retention. It has a total cooking area of 450 in2 (360 in2 for primary cooking area and 90 in2 for warming area).

Meaning, there is enough room to grill massive meat! It has two side stainless steel tables that are great to put ingredients and other cooking objects on. They can also be folded down for easier storage.

This compact features is especially beneficial for those who have relatively small grilling area. The Weber Spirit E310 is also easy to use, clean, and maintain.

It features an ignition system that ignites the burner with just a push of a button. It comes with a built-in thermometer and fuel gauge, that allow you to easily check the temperature and the fuel level, respectively.

The grates do not require seasoning and are hassle-free to clean. It also has additional features, such as the Flavorizer bars and the grease management.

The Flavorizer bars are designed to catch drippings that sizzle and smoke. This feature adds savory and smoky flavor to your food.

The drippings that do not vaporize goes to the grease management system below. The grease slides down into the grease tray and the catch pan, which can be easily cleaned.

Product details:

Total heat output: 26,500 BTU

LP tank: 20 oz (not included)

Pros

Heats up quickly and cooks evenly

Control knobs allow better heat control

Cons

A little bulky, not very ideal for small spaces

Ignition system does not always work, may sometimes require the use of lighter or match to light it up

The Best Propane Grill for Outdoor BBQ

It is made of durable materials that make it less prone to rusting and corrosion. It is lightweight, which makes it not just a great stationary grill, but also an ideal companion for road trips and camping trips.

It is compact, but has a generous cooking area. It also features a built-in thermometer, an infinite control valve, and an easy-start electronic ignition; all these features could make your grilling experience more convenient and fun.

Stands can be purchased separately for an affordable price. It is also recommended that you heat the grill first before cooking, so that the meat will less likely stick.

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Emily Mathews

Hi, I am Emily Mathews. I grew up in a small town in Tennessee, where I learned how to cook fabulous local dishes from my Mother. I have 3 children and they enable me to cook from my heart every day. I am also passionately interested in creating globally inspired food with locally grown ingredients.

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